Gov. Bobby Jindal and Ecolab Executive Vice President Jim Seifert announced that Nalco Company will build a dry polymer production facility at its Garyville plant, creating 22 new direct jobs, retaining 235 existing jobs and resulting in an estimated 167 new indirect jobs. Nalco, which completed a merger with Ecolab Inc. late last year, will invest $18.7 million in the expansion.
Nalco will produce dry polymers, which are used to remove contaminants from wastewater, to increase production efficiency in the paper industry and to recover minerals in the mining industry. Average annual salaries for the 22 new direct jobs will be $63,700, plus benefits.
Gov. Jindal said, "Ecolab decided to reinvest in Louisiana because of the track record of production success the company has had in St. John the Baptist Parish, and most importantly, because Louisiana has some of the best workers in the world. The company's expansion is a testament to Louisiana's strong business climate and the reliable and hardworking men and women of Louisiana."
The company began construction on the new 300,000-square-foot facility in October, and the dry polymer production plant is set for completion at the end of 2012.
"For more than 40 years, the Garyville community has had a significant role in the growth of Nalco, and we are extremely proud of the products our local employees have produced," said Seifert, the Ecolab executive vice president. "This new facility further strengthens our relationship with the community and the State of Louisiana, and we look forward to opening this facility and providing our customers with another innovative product solution."
LED's Business Expansion and Retention Group, or BERG, began regular visits with Nalco staff in late 2009 and continued to work with Ecolab after it acquired Nalco's assets through a merger. Those discussions led to the dry polymer expansion and today's announcement. For the project, Nalco will utilize Louisiana's Industrial Tax Exemption and Quality Jobs incentive programs.
"Nalco has been a successful company and great community partner in St. John the Baptist Parish for many years. The merger with Ecolab, another successful company, reassures their continued support for our community," said St. John the Baptist Parish President Natalie Robottom.
About Ecolab
With 2011 pro forma sales of $11 billion and more than 40,000 employees, Ecolab Inc. (NYSE: ECL) is the global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services that provide and protect clean water, safe food, abundant energy and healthy environments. Nalco, an Ecolab company, specializes in industrial water, energy and air applications, helping customers reduce natural resource consumption, enhance air quality, minimize environmental releases and improve productivity. Ecolab delivers comprehensive programs and services to the food, energy, healthcare, industrial and hospitality markets in more than 160 countries. For more news and information, visit the Ecolab website or the Nalco website.